World Championship: Who could challenge Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and become a first-time Crucible winner?

10.04.2023 - 18:19 eurosport.com

Here is a fact to blow your mind: the last World Championship to feature two debut Crucible finalists was back in 1981. Steve Davis and Doug Mountjoy were each appearing in the world final for the first time.

In every world title match in the 42 years since at least one of the finalists has been either a previous winner or runner-up.

Ad This illustrates that there are certain players better suited to come good in Sheffield than others, that they monopolise the latter stages of the championship – and how hard it is for first time winners to land the most prized trophy in snooker.

World ChampionshipWorld Snooker Championship: Order of play, schedule and results from the Crucible3 HOURS AGO In the last 15 years there have only been four first time champions: Neil Robertson (2010), Mark Selby (2014), Stuart Bingham (2015) and Judd Trump (2019).

Sporting Neil Robertson Mark Williams Mark Selby Ronnie Osullivan Stuart Bingham Judd Trump John Higgins Steve Davis Sheffield

Belgium's Luca Brecel staged the biggest comeback ever seen at the Crucible to move into his first World Snooker Championship final by winning 11 frames in a row to beat China's Si Jiahui 17-15 on Saturday.

World Snooker Championship 2023 LIVE – Neil Robertson in action, Ronnie O’Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei to come

Friday's schedule — Second round Ad 10:00 World ChampionshipHearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’SullivanAN HOUR AGO Luca Brecel 4-4 Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson 14:30 Ronnie O'Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei Mark Allen 5-3 Stuart Bingham 19:00 Luca Brecel v Mark Williams Jak Jones v Neil Robertson Essential reading ahead of O'Sullivan v Vafaei... Hearn 'fell off chair laughing' after Vafaei’s dig at O’Sullivan Hendon: History shows fired-up Vafaei may regret O'Sullivan trash talk 'He should retire!' — O’Sullivan v Vafaei war of words: How grudge match unfolded Exclusive: 'I'm an easy target' — O'Sullivan responds to astonishing Vafaei attack Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his response to Hossein Vafaei ahead of their eagerly-anticipated last-16 showdown at the World Championship amid the latest instalment of their ongoing spat.

Ronnie O'Sullivan says 'I'm an easy target' after astonishing Hossein Vafaei attack at World Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his response to Hossein Vafaei ahead of their eagerly-anticipated last-16 showdown at the World Snooker Championship amid the latest instalment of their ongoing spat. After winning his first-round match at The Crucible, Vafaei told Eurosport's Rachel Casey he wants to «shut» O'Sullivan's mouth in what represented an astonishing broadside after setting up their second-round encounter in Sheffield.

World Snooker Championship 2023: Latest scores, results, schedule, order of play as Ronnie O'Sullivan goes for glory

All eyes are on Ronnie O'Sullivan at the world-famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as the snooker legend tries to win a record eighth World Championship title. But he faces some stiff competition from the likes of the in-form Shaun Murphy — who won the recent Tour Championship — Mark Allen, Judd Trump and Mark Selby.

Judd Trump going on holiday before 2023 World Snooker Championship a 'mistake', says Alan McManus

Judd Trump going on holiday before the 2023 World Snooker Championship was a «mistake», says Alan McManus. Trump departed the Crucible at the first-round stage following a 10-6 loss to the relatively unheralded Anthony McGill. Ad It's the latest defeat in a difficult period for the 33-year-old, who hasn't got past the last eight of any tournament since reaching the final of the World Grand Prix in January.

Heavy-scoring John Higgins through to World Snooker Championship second round after convincing win over David Grace

John Higgins enjoyed a routine 10-3 victory over David Grace in the first round of the World Snooker Championship on Tuesday. Higgins was dominant in the best-of-19 match-up as he entered the game as the clear favourite. Ad He demonstrated his superiority, and decent form, when he rattled off three half-centuries — 51, 98, and then 66 — on his way to setting up a 3-0 lead before Grace pulled one back.